Churchill to Host 11 Stakes Worth $3.575M in September

A stakes schedule packed with $3.575 million in purses will headline this year's 14-day September meet at Churchill Downs, which runs Thursday, Sept. 11, through Sunday, Sept. 28, and features 11 stakes contests over three weekends.

The Saturday, Sept. 13 card sets the tone with five high-quality stakes races, led by the $400,000 Locust Grove Stakes (G2) and the first points events on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, the $300,000 Iroquois Stakes (G3) and the $300,000 Pocahontas Stakes (G3). The program also features the $300,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes and the $300,000 Open Mind Stakes.

The second Saturday of the meet on Sept. 20 includes four more stakes topped by the $300,000 Dogwood Stakes (G3) along with the $300,000 Bourbon Flight Stakes, the $300,000 Harrods Creek Stakes, and the $175,000 Seneca Overnight Stakes.

The stakes action concludes Saturday, Sept. 27, with a duo of marquee races: the $500,000 Lukas Classic (G2) and the $400,000 Ack Ack Stakes (G3). Named for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who died earlier this summer, the Lukas Classic has developed into a key local prep for the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), which this year takes place Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

The September Meet will open with a Thursday-Sunday schedule during the first week, followed by Wednesday-Sunday racing during the final two weeks. First post is 12:45 p.m. ET most days, with a special 5 p.m. first post each Thursday for Twilight Thursday.

Fall Meet Stakes Purses Total $5 Million

Four weeks later, Churchill Downs will host its 26-day Fall Meet from Sunday, Oct. 26, through Sunday, Nov. 30, with 16 stakes worth $5 million. 

Thanksgiving weekend once again anchors the Fall Meet with two of the season's biggest race days: Friday, Nov. 28 will be headlined by the $600,000 Clark Stakes (G2) and the $300,000 Mrs. Revere Stakes (G2T); and Saturday, Nov. 29 features the Stars of Tomorrow II card headlined by the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) and the $400,000 Golden Rod Stakes(G2). 

The meet will open with the first Stars of Tomorrow card on Sunday, Oct. 26, led by the $200,000 Street Sense Stakes (G3) and the $200,000 Rags to Riches Stakes. 

Godolphin's Sovereignty  illustrated his stakes potential in capturing the 2024 Street Sense by five lengths over eventual graded stakes winners Tiztastic  and Sandman  in the 1 1/16-mile race. Sovereignty would go on to win the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) and two other graded races for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott this year.